Udyog Development Foundation (UDF), a not-for profit organisation represented by pharmacists in the country is now  insisting that the  government should look at the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Pharmaceuticals and the introduction of an examination on Indian Pharmaceutical Services.

Formation of an Ministry of Pharmaceuticals would bring in regulatory and related activities of Drugs Control General of India (DCGI), India Pharmacopeia Commission (IPC), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education Research (NIPER) and Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) under one roof. Besides it would also include the control of public sector pharma enterprises like IDPL, HAL, RDPL, KAPL and BCPL within its ambit.

The integration of these segments of pharmaceuticals would bolster the activities of many of these offices. It would in-turn also look to strengthen the position of a pharmacy diploma holders, graduates, post graduates and Pharma D candidates by providing promising employment opportunities,  Amitav Joyprakash Choudhury, founder, Udyog Development Foundation told Pharmabiz.

“We are also pressing for an examination of Indian Pharmaceutical Services on similar lines that of other civil service examinations which could be taken up by all those candidates keen on government service once the Ministry of Pharmaceuticals is created. There is no doubt that the pharma sector requires dedicated personnel who  could comprehend the procedures of  drug licenses and related approvals for drug development, manufacture and marketing,” he added.

There is also the need for an immediate amendment in Food Safety Act- 2011by including pharmacy as one of the qualifications for the inspectorate teams. Further, there is need for revision in Drug & Cosmetics Act & Rules – 1940 & 1945  specifically Rule 64, 65,71 and 76, related to Renewal of drugs/manufacturing licenses. Educational qualification must be Graduate in Pharmacy. Other qualifications (Science Graduate (B.Sc or M.Sc) should be deleted, said Choudhury.

Further, the UDF has asserted for an amendment in Pharmacy Act-1948, amendment in NIPER Act and formation of a Central Register of pharmacist maintained by the PCI.

The Foundation is looking for employment generation under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) where a presence of a pharmacist is made available at the Primary Health Centres(PHCs) & Community Health Centres (CHCs), district hospitals and government medical college hospitals.

In order to attract the attention of the Union government policy makers UDF has embarked on a India Pharmacists Revolution Yatra beginning from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in an effort to draw attention for bringing in the legislative changes, said Choudhury who was in Bengaluru in connection for the final leg of the three phase Yatra covering the southern states of the country.

Incidentally, Choudhury who is also the convener of the Indian Pharmacists Revolution Yatra, pointed out there was need to draw the attention of the government and only a congregation of like-minded pharmacists working for a cause for the recognition of the profession and the services was seen to be the ideal platform to ensure some change.